Table

ABSTRACT

A table top is provided with at least three corners and has an upper surface bounded by a circumferential edge. At least three recesses are provided in the upper surface at respective ones of the corners extending inwardly from the circumferential edge and having a thickness which is smaller than the thickness of the table top. A corresponding number of legs is provided the upper end portions of which are each matingly received in one of the recesses so that their outer surfaces are flush with the upper surface of the table top. A securing means secures the respective legs releasably to the table top in the respective recesses.

United States Patent Mehnert [4 1 Aug. 22, 1972 54] TABLE 3,420,4841/1964 Mattick 8.....248/188 lnvemon. Klaus Meme", .smngan zuffen3,455,605 I 7/1972 Anderson ..297/445 hausen, Germany FOREIGN PATENTS ORAPPucATToNs 1 Assignee: Wilhelm Bofinser Mobelwermtkni 1 504,382 7/1954Canada "248/188 llsfeld, Germany 22 Filed: Oct. 19, 1970 P' Mitchell 81676 Attorney-Michael S. Striker [21] Appl. No.:

[30] Foreign Application Priority Data April 17, 1970 Germany 70 14106.9

52 US. Cl ..l08/156, 248/188 51 Int.'Cl. ..A47b 3/06 [58] Field orSearch ..l08/l'5 3, 156, 157; 248/188, 248/188.8

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,699,814 1/1955 Kal'ln..248ll88.8 x 2,821,447 1/1958 Beller et al. ..248/l88.8

[ ABSTRACT A tabletop is provided with at leastthree corners and has-anupper surface bounded bya circumferential edge. At least three recessesare providediin the upper I I surface at respective ones of the comersextending inwardly from'the circumferential edge and having a thicknesswhich is smaller than the thickness of the,

table top. A corresponding number of legs is provided the upper endportions of which are each matingly received in one of the recesses sothat their outer sur- 20 Clairm, 5 Drawing Figures PATENTEnwszz m23,685,466

I saw 105 5 INVENTOR um fiE'M/L'er f. f/LIL.

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sheet 5 0F 5 FIG. :5

NVENTO TORNEY TABLE BACKGROUND'QF THE INVENTION The present inventionrelates to a table, and more particularlyto a table wherein the legs arereleasably connected with the table top.

Table constructions are known in so many different varieties that it isentirely beyond the scope of the present disclosure to enter into adiscussion thereof. However, inasmuch as the' present invention isconcerned with tables wherein the legs are releasably connected with thetable top, it is pointed out that such table constructions are alsoknown from the prior art. For instance, it is known to provide socketson the table top and to screw the upper ends of the legs into thesesockets, usually by providing the upper ends of the legs with screwthreads which can mate with topped bores in the socket. This is true forinstance with garden tables or the like.

What is not known in the art is a table wherein the legs and the tabletop have a pronounced unity, meaning a construction wherein the legsappear to be unitary with the table top-but are nevertheless releasabletherefromrather than clearly and unmistakably being separate elements.This is desirable for various reasons, including aesthetic reasons, buthas not heretofore been accomplished in the art.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is, accordingly, an object of the presentinvention to provide an improved table having this desired advantage.More particularly it is an object of the present invention to provide atable wherein the legs are releasably connected with the table top buthave therewith a unity both in terms of appearance and of structure.

In pursuance of the above objects, and others which will become apparenthereafter, one feature of the in- Naturally, the number of legs may begreater than three, and the configuration of the table top itself may begenerally polygonal, for instance triangular, quadratic, rectangular orthe like with the number of legs varying as may be required-independence upon the different configuration of the table top. It isadvantageous but not essential that the table consist of syntheticplastic material, or at least be predominantly composed of suchmaterial. Various synthetic plastic materials suitable for the purposeare known, and by way of example it is pointed out that one which hasbeen found particularly advantageous from a point of view of appearanceas well as of strength is a glass fiber reinforced polyester resin.

The table top may be provided with a circumferential margin or skirtwhich depends in downward direction from the main or upper portion ofthetable top, and the recesses may be provided both in the margin-at therespective comers-and in portions of the main table top portions whichare adjacent the margin. These recesses have a depth which is smallerthan the thickness of the table top itself and are thus bounded exceptat theouter edge of the table top, by shoulders.

.Outer exposed edges on the upper end portions of the respective legsabut tightly against these shoulders. I prefer that the legs themselves,or at least the upper end portions thereof received in the respectiverecesses, have such a thickness that their exposed surfaces are flushwith the upper surface of the table top, so that there are no steps,ridges or the like present at the juncture between the legs and theupper surface of the table top itself. The term upper surface asemployed herein will be understood to include the surface of the tabletop which is normally visible when the table is in its customaryposition in which it rests on the legs. Thus, the term includes thatpart of the exposed surface which normally faces directly upwardly andsupports objects placed on the table, as well as that-portion of theexposed surface which is provided on and visible at the depending marginor skirt of the table top.

According to a further concept of the invention each of the recesses,which as already suggested before may be composed of a first partprovided in the skirt and a second part constituting an extension of thefirst part and provided in the main portion of the table top, may beprovided with a groove extending in the elongation of the respectiverecess, that is inwardly from the circumferential free edge bounding thedepending skirt, and extending substantially diagonally with respect tothe main table top portion. The upper end portions of the legs will thenbe provided with correspondingly configrrated ribs which are received inthe respective grooves, and the cross-sectional configuration of theribs and grooves may be selected as desired, generally polygonal or, forinstance, rectangular. The grooves may be at least partly open at theunderside of the table top, that is at that side of the table top whichin normal use of thetable will face towards the ground, and the upperend portions of the legs may be provided with projections-which may ormay not constitute extensions of the ribs-extending through the openingsor open sides of the grooves underneath the main table top portion intoengagement with the underside thereof so that in effect the main tabletop portion rests on these projections. The projections may of course beprovided with guide surfaces, for instance tapered surfaces, forfacilitating their insertion through the open sides or openings of thegrooves.

The recesses may be provided both in the skirt portion and in the maintable top portion, this being a particularly advantageous arrangement;however, the recesses could also be provided in the main table topportion in which case those parts of the upper end portions of the legswhich are juxtaposed with the corresponding sections of the skirtportion would then be located in overlying relationship therewith,rather than having their exposed surfaces be flush with the uppersurface of the table top.

The novel features which are considered as characteristic for theinvention are set forth in particular in the appended claims. Theinvention itself, however, both as to its construction and its method ofoperation, together with additional objects and advantages [FIGJS'is aSection taken on line V-fV of FIG. 4.

thereof, will be best understood from the following -F.lG.1-; a .FIG. 3is a section taken on line III-III of FIG. 2;

' those parts which remainof the thickness of thetable FIG.-.4 'is, atop-plan view of the portion of the leg shown in FIG. 1; and

r DESCRIP' I' ION or Tl-IE PREFERRED I I EMBODIMENTS i I Before enteringinto a detailed discussion of the drawing it is pointed out that a tableaccording to the present invention exhibits no particularity as concernsits outlineJFor this reason it is believed to be sufficient toillustrate, as has'been done in thedrawing, only one comerv portion of atable top, together with an upper end portion of a leg which isassociated with the comer portion. If. the. table top is such as to beprovided with threesuch legs, then it will have three corners which willall be identically constructed-insofar as the inven-' tion isconcerned-as the one which has been shown in the drawing. If the tabletop has four corners and the table utilizes four legs, then the tabletop will have four of the comer arrangements and associated legs whichare shown in the drawing. i 1

Keeping this in mind it is pointed out that the table perseisjidentified in the drawing with reference numeral 10. It has a tabletop 12 which, as already stated, is shown only fragmentarily and whichis provided with a depending skirt ormarginal circumferentialportion14which may extend substantiallyvertically-in the normal position of useof the, table-or which may also top aftenthe recess is provided, with asubstantially diagonally extending groove 30 which extends inwardly fromthe outer edge 32 as shown in FIG. 3. That same figure also shows thatthe groove has a bottom wall-40 which extends substantially horizontallyas well as approximately'vertically oriented side walls 44 and 46; thebottom wall portion 40 merges via a rounded portion 36 into asubstantially vertically oriented bottom wall portion 41 of a grooveprovided in the skirt l4 and which constitutes an extension .of thegroove 30.

The "groove 34 maybe omitted according to one em-. bodiment of theinvention, but it, is advantageous to provide it as illustrated.Reference numerals 43 and 45 illustrate the side wall portions whichbound the groove 34 together with the bottom wall portion 41 thereof.This isshown in FIG. 2.

A bore or aperture 38 is provided in the bottom wall portion 41, or,else a slot which will be open to the underside of the table top 'l2 andwhose center line extends substantially in parallelism with theelongation of the groove which, as shown in FIG.3, is open at its innerend 42 so that it communicates with the under side of the table top 12.g

With the thus configurated corner of the table top 12 I there cooperatesa leg-and it will be appreciated that be slightly inclined inoutwarddirection. The entire I table top, that is both the main table topportion and the dependingskirt portion 14 thereof, is of one piece. Thetable top may have various comers, of which one is I shown for purposesof explaining the invention.

The illustrated comers are identified with reference numeral 16 and itwill be seen that the upper table top surface 18--which is the surfaceboth of the main table top portion and of the depending skirt portion-isprovided. in the region of the corner 16 with a recess elongated indirection inwardly from the free circumferentialedge 63 of the marginalskirt 14. This recess actually is composed of two parts, one of which islocated in the upper table top portion and the ,other'of which islocated in the skirt portion 14. Because of this recess, whose depth issmaller than the thickness of the table top 12 as is evident from thedrawing, there is provided a step 2!) composed of two shoulders 19 and21 each of which extends inwardly from one edge 63 (as seenwithreference to the comer where the inclined parts of the edge 63 meet)and which are joined by a rounded shoulder portion 22 The portions 19and 20 extend, substantially in parallelism, with the sides of thetabletop f Accerdingto the invention it is advantageous to providetherecessed parts 26'and 28 of the recess, that is at least three of thesemust be provided eachassociated with one such comer portion'which.isillustrated in FIGS. 1, 4 and 5. Preferably thetable leg has a.crosssectional configuration such as to provide an outwardly openangular profile 50 defined. by arms 52 and 54. These anns 52 and 54 maybe inclined both downwardly and outwardly away from the table top,because this makes itpossible to stack several such t'ables quitereadily and in a space saving manner. It will be appreciated that thelegs of an upper table will always be received in the outwardly openangle defined I I between thearms 52 and 54 of the legs of a lower tableon which it is to be stacked. To provide forgreater stability of thetable the contact surface of the legs at the bottom end thereof may beincreased by providing an approximately horizontal ground-contactingbottom plate 56. at the lower end of each of the legs 24. This may alsobe of importance for other considerations, for instance to avoid thepossibility of damage to carpets or drawing, provided withapproximately'horizontally ex-.

tending portions '58 as shown particularly in FIGS. 6 1

and 5. These are obtained by. bending the upper ends of the arms 52 and54 substantially horizontally and by broadening each of these arms inthe region of its upper end whereby additional portions are obtained.

According to the invention the configuration and the thickness of theportions 58 and 60 corresponds to outline and the depth of the recessprovided in the upper' surface 18 of the table top 12. Thus, when theleg 24 is secured to the table top in releasable manner, as'still to bediscussed, the outer or exposed surface of each upper end portion ofthe, respective leg will be flush with the upper surface 18 of thetabletopl2 without any projecting corners, ridges, steps or. the like. Theoutline of that upper end portion of the respective leg portion 24 whichis received in the associated recess is identified in FIG. 4 withreference numeral 62 and it will be seen that the outline 64 (see FIG.2) of the recess is identical with the outline 62. The thickness of theportion 60 corresponds to the height of the skirt 14, with the portion60 merging from the corner 61 via a rounded part into the arms 52 and54.

The underside of the upper portion of the respective leg 24, that is theside which when the leg is connected with the table top 12 will face'thelatter, is provided with a rib 70 as shown in FIG. 5. It is preferablyof one piece with the remainder of the leg 24 and composed of twosections one of which is approximately vertical and the other of whichmerges with it via a rounded part and extends approximatelyhorizontally, both of these references to the orientation of coursereferring to the position of the leg as secured to the table top andwith the table in normal position of use. THe rib 70 is arrangedsymmetrically with reference to the plane of symmetry of the leg 24as'shown in FIG. 4 and it is so configurated that it is tightly receivedin mating relationship in the portions 30 and 34 which together make upthe groove in the corner of the' table top. The rounded part connectingthe substantially horizontal and the substantially vertical section ofthe rib 70 identified with reference numeral 74 in FIG. 5 and itscurvature corresponds at least partly to the curvature of the roundedportion 36, the bottom walls 40 and 41 of the grooved portions 30 and34.

In the illustrated embodiment a projection 76 is provided which may beconsidered a tongue or the like and which in this embodiment is anextension of the rib 70 beyond the outer contour line 62 of the leg.This can be omitted but in the illustrated embodiment the tongue 76projects at 78 into underlying engagement with the underside of thetable top 12, as shown in FIG. 3, when the leg 24 is connected with thetable top 12. Thus, the latter is supported on the projection 76 of eachleg 24. The introduction of the projections 76 is facilitated byproviding it with bevels 88 and 90.

As previously pointed out, the legs 24 are releasably connected with thetable top. For this purpose it is advantageous to anchor in theapproximately vertical portion of the rib 70 a screw or bolt 80, meaningthat the head 82 and usually a portion of the shaft may be embedded inthe material of the rib 70, for instance by being cast into it, so thatthe head is concealed and not visible. Naturally, the head and/or theembedded portion of the shaft may be of polygonal configuration toprevent turning of the bolt or screw 80 with reference to the rib 70.

The portion 84 of the shaft is tapped and projects beyond the innersurface of the rib 70 so as to extend through the bore or aperture 38 inthe bottom wall 41 when the leg is connected with the table top 12. Anut 86-for instance cap nut or the like-is threaded onto the tappedportion 84 from the underside of the table that is illustrated in FIG. 5to thereby obtain a rigid and highly stable and reliable connectionbetween the leg and the table top.

It will be appreciated that the nut or screw 80 need not be embedded inpart in the rib 70. It is clearly possible for instance to provide therib 70 with a hole and to push the nut or screw through it from theexterior of the leg in which case the head would of course be visible atthe exterior of the leg. Conversely it is also conceivable to pass theshaft of the screw or bolt from the underside of the table top throughthe bore 38 and to have it mesh with a tapped bore in the rib 70, orwith a nut embedded in the latter. The wall thickness of the legs andthe thickness of thetable top may of course be varied as desired, and ithas been found that in many instances 6 mm would be entirely adequate.

If desired the tongue 76 may be provided with a short upwardly directedprojection (not illustrated) which is glass fiber-reinforced polyesterresin.

It will be understood that each of the elements described above, or twoor more-together, may also find a useful application in other types ofconstruction differing from the types described above.

While the invention has been illustrated and described as embodied in atable, it is not intended to be limited to the details shown, sincevarious modifications and structural changes may be made withoutdeparting in any way from the spirit of the present invention.

Without further analysis, the foregoing will so fully reveal the gist ofthe present invention that others can by applying current knowledgereadily adapt it for various applications without omitting featuresthat, from the standpoint of prior art, fairly constitute essentialcharacteristics of the generic or specific aspects of this inventionand, therefore, such adaptations should and are intended to becomprehended within the meaning and range of equivalence of thefollowing claims.

What is claimed as new and desired to be protected by Letters Patent isset forth in the appended claims.

I claim: a

l. A table comprising a table top provided with at least three comersand having a predetermined thickness and an upper surface bounded by acircumferential edge; at least three recesses provided at respectiveones of said corners extending inwardly from said circumferential edgeand downwardly from said upper surface to a depth which is smaller thansaid predetermined thickness so as to provide at each comer a recessedpart; at least three legs each having an upper end portion matinglyaccommodated in a respective one of said recesses and overlying therecessed part, with an upper face of said end portion flush with saidupper surface of said table top; and securing means for releasablysecuring said legs to said table top.

2. A table as defined in claim 1, wherein at least said table topconsists at least predominantly of synthetic plastic material.

3. A table as defined in claim 1, wherein at least said table topconsists of glass-fiber reinforced polyester.

4. A table as defined in claim 1, said table top comprising a mainportion and a circumferential margin surrounding said main portion andextending of said legs are each matingly received in the respectiverecesses filling said first and second parts thereof. 5. A table asdefined in claim 4, wherein said first part extends at leastsubstantially horizontally and said second part extends at leastsubstantially vertically, and

I wherein each of said upper end portions has two mutually inclinedsections one of which is received in said first part and the other ofwhich is received in said second part of the associated'recess.

' 6. A table as defined in claim 4, said upper end portions having athickness corresponding to the difference between said depth and saidpredetermined thickness, and each of said upperend portions having anexposedsurface which is flush with said upper surface of said table top.V g

7. A table as defined in claim 4; further comprising a groove providedin at least one of said partsof the respective recesses extending indirection of elongation thereof substantially diagonally of said tabletop; and a rib provided on the upper end portion of the respective legsandv matingly received in said groove of the associated recess.

8. A table as defined in claim 7, wherein said groove and said rib areof polygonal cross-sectional configuration.

9. A table as defined in claim 7,'wherein said groove and said ribare ofrectangular cross-sectional configuration.

' 10. A table as defined in claim 7, said table top hav ing an undersideand said groove" being at least in part open at said underside; andfurther comprising a tongue constituting an extension of said rib andprojecting beyond the same and outwardly of said groove into underlyingengagement with said underside of said table i1, A table as defined inclaim 7, said table top having an underside and said groove being atleast in part open at said underside; and each of said upper end poringa lower end portion; and further comprising an at tions further beingprovided-with a tongue projecting outwardly of the respective grooveinto underlying en"- gagement with said underside of said table top;

1 12. A tableas defined in claim 7,wherein id one part is said f'u'stpart.

13. A' table as defined in aa 'eaea. of said recesses further comprisingan auxiliarygroove provided in the respective second part and alsoextending longitudinally of the respective recess; and wherein each ofsaid ribs comprises a first and a second rib portion respectivelyreceived in said groove and said auxiliary groove of the respectivelyassociated recess.

14. A table as defined in claim 13, wherein each of said auxiliarygrooves is axially aligned with and con-' stitutes an extension oftherespectively associated groove. o H

15. A table as defined in claim 13, wherein the respectively associatedgrooves and auxiliary grooves arg locate su tantial first and second ribportions alsoextend substantially normal to one another. I 16. A tableas defined in claim 13, said table top having an underside; and whereinsaid securing means comprises a plurality of threaded elements eachextending from said underside into a respective auxiliary groove andbeing fast with said second rib portion received therein.

17. A table as defined in claim 16, said threaded elements being boltsanchored in the respective second rib portion and extending through theassociated auxiliary groove beyond'said underside; and furthercomprising a retaining nut threaded onto each of said bolts at saidunderside.

18. A table as defined in claim 17, said bolts each having a headnon-rotatably embedded in the respective second rib portion.

"19. A table as defined in claim 1, said legs having in cross-section anangular profile which is open in direction outwardly away from'saidtable top.

20. A table as defined in claim 19, said legs each havleastsubstantially horizontal ground-engaging support plate provided on saidlower end portion and extending transversely of said angular profile.

in res tive ener lanes w ich ex'te yn mi t'o on e ano tirgr, and wirerem saiifl

1. A table comprising a table top provided with at least three cornersand having a predetermined thickness and an upper surface bounded by acircumferential edge; at least three recesses provided at respectiveones of said corners extending inwardly from said circumferential edgeand downwardly from said upper surface to a depth which is smaller thansaid predetermined thickness so as to provide at each corner a recessedpart; at least three legs each having an upper end portion matinglyaccommodated in a respective one of said recesses and overlying therecessed part, with an upper face of said end portion flush with saidupper surface of said table top; and securing means for releasablysecuring said legs to said table top.
 2. A table as defined in claim 1,wherein at least said table top consists at least predominantly ofsynthetic plastic material.
 3. A table as defined in claim 1, wherein atleast said table top consists of glass-fiber reinforced polyester.
 4. Atable as defined in claim 1, said table top comprising a main portionand a circumferential margin surrounding said main portion and extendingdownwardly with reference thereto, said table top also having apredetermined thickness and said upper surface being in part provided onsaid main portion and in part on said circumferential margin; saidrecesses having a depth smaller than said thickness and each beingelongated inwardly of said edge and having a first part in said mainportion and a second part in said circumferential margin; and whereinsaid upper end portions of said legs are each matingly received in therespective recesses filling said first and second parts thereof.
 5. Atable as defined in claim 4, wherein said first part extends at leastsubstantially horizontally and said second part extends at leastsubstantially vertically, and wherein each of said upper end portionshas two mutually inclined sections one of which is received in saidfirst part and the other of which is received in said second part of theassociated recess.
 6. A table as defined in claim 4, said upper endportions having a thickness corresponding to the difference between saiddepth and said predetermined thickness, and each of said upper endportions having an exposed surface which is flush with said uppersurface of said table top.
 7. A table as defined in claim 4; furthercomprising a groove provided in at least one of said parts of therespective recesses extending in direction of elongation thereofsubstantially diagonally of said table top; and a rib provided on theupper end portion of the respective legs and matingly received in saidgroove of the associated recess.
 8. A table as defined in claim 7,wherein said groove and said rib are of polygonal cross-sectionalconfiguration.
 9. A table as defined in claim 7, wherein said groove andsaid rib are of rectangular cross-sectional configuration.
 10. A tableas defined in claim 7, said table top having an underside and saidgroove being at least in part open at said underside; and furthercomprising a tongue constituting an extension of said rib and projectingbeyond the same and outwardly of said groove into underlying engagementwith said underside of said table top.
 11. A table as defined in claim7, said table top having an underside and said groove being at least inpart open at said underside; and each of said upper end portions furtherbeing provided with a tongue projecting outwardly of the respectivegroove into underlying engagement with said underside of said table top.12. A table as defined in claim 7, wherein said one part is said firstpart.
 13. A table as defined in claim 7, each of said recesses furthercomprising an auxiliary groove provided in the respective second partand also extending longitudinally of the respective recess; and whereineach of said ribs comprises a fIrst and a second rib portionrespectively received in said groove and said auxiliary groove of therespectively associated recess.
 14. A table as defined in claim 13,wherein each of said auxiliary grooves is axially aligned with andconstitutes an extension of the respectively associated groove.
 15. Atable as defined in claim 13, wherein the respectively associatedgrooves and auxiliary grooves are located in respective general planeswhich extend substantially normal to one another, and wherein said firstand second rib portions also extend substantially normal to one another.16. A table as defined in claim 13, said table top having an underside;and wherein said securing means comprises a plurality of threadedelements each extending from said underside into a respective auxiliarygroove and being fast with said second rib portion received therein. 17.A table as defined in claim 16, said threaded elements being boltsanchored in the respective second rib portion and extending through theassociated auxiliary groove beyond said underside; and furthercomprising a retaining nut threaded onto each of said bolts at saidunderside.
 18. A table as defined in claim 17, said bolts each having ahead non-rotatably embedded in the respective second rib portion.
 19. Atable as defined in claim 1, said legs having in cross-section anangular profile which is open in direction outwardly away from saidtable top.
 20. A table as defined in claim 19, said legs each having alower end portion; and further comprising an at least substantiallyhorizontal ground-engaging support plate provided on said lower endportion and extending transversely of said angular profile.